© 1997 Faculty of Public Health Medicine of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom
research-article |
Sexual dysfunction in primary medical care: prevalence, characteristics and detection by the general practitioner*
Simon Read, Pre-registation House Officer
Michael King, Head of University Department of Psychiatry
James Watson, Chairman Division Psychiatry and Psychology
University Department of Psychiatry, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF
UMDS Guys Hospital London SE1 9RT
Address correspondence to Dr Simon Read
BACKGROUND: Despite the recent focus on sexual behaviour and AIDs, there are almost no data on the prevalence of sexual dysfunction within primary care settings.
METHOD: One hundred and seventy patients attending a general practice participated in a questionnaire survey of the prevalence and characteristics of sexual problems. The detection rate of the general practitioners (GPs) and indicators in the patient notes were also investigated.
RESULTS: Thirty five per cent of the men (n = 22) reported some form of specific sexual dysfunction: premature ejaculation was identified in 31 per cent of the men; 17 per cent experienced erectile dysfunction, which was associated with current medication, a high mean annual attendance and increasing age. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in the women was 42 per cent (n = 41) vaginismus was reported by 30 per cent of the sample; 23 per cent of the women suffered from anorgasmia. General sexual dissatisfaction was more common than specific dysfunction; 68 per cent (n = 66) of the women and 75 per cent (n = 54) of the men reported at least one problem with dissatisfaction, avoidance, infrequency or non-communication. The large majority of the sample (70 per cent) considered sexual matters to be an appropriate topic for the GP to discuss. Despite this, sexual problems were recorded in only 2 per cent of the GP notes.
CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the high prevalence of sexual disorders in the population. Many of these problems are concealed from GPs. Predictors in patients' notes could help GPs to detect those patients with more serious problems.
Keywords: sexual dysfunction, epidemiology, general Practice
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  A. Anbazhagan and R. Roberts Nonurological uses of botulinum toxin in gynaecology Obstet Gynaecol (Lond), April 1, 2008; 10(2): 75 - 79. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 L. A Kielbasa and K. L Daniel Topical Alprostadil Treatment of Female Sexual Arousal Disorder Ann. Pharmacother., July 1, 2006; 40(7): 1369 - 1376. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. Carani, A. M. Isidori, A. Granata, E. Carosa, M. Maggi, A. Lenzi, and E. A. Jannini Multicenter Study on the Prevalence of Sexual Symptoms in Male Hypo- and Hyperthyroid Patients J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., December 1, 2005; 90(12): 6472 - 6479. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. Gott, E. Galena, S. Hinchliff, and H. Elford "Opening a can of worms": GP and practice nurse barriers to talking about sexual health in primary care Fam. Pract., October 1, 2004; 21(5): 528 - 536. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. Hinchliff and M. Gott Perceptions of Well-Being in Sexual Ill Health: What Role does Age Play? J Health Psychol, September 1, 2004; 9(5): 649 - 660. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. Sarkadi and U. Rosenqvist Intimacy and Women With Type 2 Diabetes: An Exploratory Study Using Focus Group Interviews The Diabetes Educator, July 1, 2003; 29(4): 641 - 652. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. V. Deliganis, K. R. Maravilla, J. R. Heiman, W. O. Carter, P. A. Garland, B. T. Peterson, L. Hackbert, Y. Cao, and R. M. Weisskoff Female Genitalia: Dynamic MR Imaging with Use of MS-325—Initial Experiences Evaluating Female Sexual Response Radiology, December 1, 2002; 225(3): 791 - 799. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. Kitai, S. Vinker, F. Kijner, and A. Lustman Erectile dysfunction--the effect of sending a questionnaire to patients on consultations with their family doctor Fam. Pract., June 1, 2002; 19(3): 247 - 250. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Humphery and I. Nazareth GPs' views on their management of sexual dysfunction Fam. Pract., October 1, 2001; 18(5): 516 - 518. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|